Ken Burnslives just where you might imagine.
I wont work on a more important film, he declares.
We knew and we did nothing, Burns says.
An immigrant family looking at Statue of Liberty from Ellis Island, circa 1930.Library of Congress
We let in more [Jews] than any other sovereign nation, about 225,000.
But we could have let in five times that.
Witnessing the direction of the country, Burns says he pivoted, hastening the production timetable for the series.
I just told [the team], were going to accelerate the process by a year.
And this was just getting more and more uncomfortably rhyming.
Not just every other page, but every sentence.
And so I just said, we just have to get it out…
It was really tough on everybody, but we made it.
This one took on special significance, as the filmmaker approached a milestone anniversary turning 70.
Guests by the hundreds were traveling from near and far.
Gray has long since gained purchase in Burns chin whiskers, and crows feet encroach upon his hazel eyes.
But at 70, he retains a startlingly boyish appearance.
Were already well into it, Burns says.
None of this revisionism sits well with Burns.
Germany, which arguably has the worst history, does the best job of teaching it.
If youre exceptional, you dont get to stay exceptional if youve got that attitude.
Hes my executive producer, he says of Chester.
Hes been here the last eight and a half years.
This is the most active hes ever been [during aninterview].
Ive been on live TV, onThe Today Show hes asleep on the sofa.
We never stop researching and we never stop writing.
Every time you see a talking head, its a happy accident.
Then we find out where they work [within the narrative].
This is really hard work, Burns says.
This is labor intensive.
Fortunately, he adds, I live in rural New Hampshire.
I just am not distracted.
